Harvester



Nov. 24, 1931. A. KowALsKY HARVESTER Filed Nov. l, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Y A. KowALsKY HARVESTER Nov. 24, 1931.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. l, 1926 NQ ww Patented Nov. 24, 1931 .UNITEDSTATES f- PArsar odi-FICE m ANDREW xowALsxY, oF OAK PARK, iLLINoi-s,AssIGNoR To INTERNATIONAL HAR: vEsTER COMPANY, A4 CORPORATION orNnwaERsEY I ner.

HARVESTER Application led November 1', 1926. *.Serial No. 145,389.

This invention relates to harvesters and more particularly to a noveland practical cutting mechanism for such machines.

One of the objects of the invention has to .do with the abatement of theravages of an insect pest known as the corn borer. This pest has beenmaterially damaging the corn crop of a large section of the country andthe extent of the territory over which such ravages occur has beenincreasing. The insects devour large portions of the ears of corn andhibernate in such parts of corn stalks as may be left in the fieldbetween one harvest and the succeeding planting. It is one purpose ofthis invention to provide a corn harvester which will enable the user toharvest his corn in such a manner that there will be a Vminimum of thestalks or plants left in the iield to aii'ord sustenance for the pestfrom harvest time to the succeeding planting period.

` It is also an object of the invention t0 provide a corn binder with apractical and successful cutting apparatus related to the other parts ofthe machine in anovel vman- It is a further object of the invention toprovide a corn harvester with a'loating cutter bar which will closelyfollow the contour of the ground and enable the machine to gatherpractically all of the stalks above ground. V

ln the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side illustration of a harvester with the illustrativecutting mechanism applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation of the illustrative cuttingmechanism.;

Fig. 3 is aperspective view of a corn harvester showing one form .of theillustrative cutting mechanism embodied therein;

ft is a plan of the illustrative cutting mechanism showing thearrangement of runners and supporting bars for the cutting mechanismFig. 5 is a perspective view of a corn binder with another embodiment-ofthe illustrative cutting mechanism applied thereto, the forward end ofthe corn binder being tipped up out of normal position forv the purposev0i clearly illustrating the relation of the cutting mechanism to theGathering boards; and

Figure 6 is a rear view showing the floating auxiliary frame and thecutting mechanism which it carries.

The illustrative cutting mechanism comprisesa cutter l herein shown asincluding a reciprocating cutter bar. This Acutter isV supported by afloating auxiliary frame 2. The auxiliary frame preferably comprisesrunners 3 pivotally mounted at their forward ends upon the frame of theharvester.

Tn the structure shown in the drawingsthe auxiliary frame is mountedupon a pivot pin 4. secured to a frame member 5, which in turn issecured to the gathering boards 6 of the harvester.

The illustrative cutting mechanism is herein referred to as a floatingcutter because of the fact that it is substantially free to move up anddown as its ruimer supports ride over the surface of the ground.

ln Fig. 2 of the drawings the rearward vertically except as to itsdownward movement, movement in that direction being limited by contactof the horizontal portion 8 of the stepwith a cooperating stop member 9upon the frame of the harvester.

The illustrative cutting mechanism is also providedwith resilientsub-runners 10, which advantageously aiiect the operation of the endofthe cutting mechanism is vshown as provided with a stop 7, which isfree to move machine and prevent injury to the runners 3 in case thelatter should contact with rocks or other obstacles which mightotherwise materially damage the cutting mechanism.

Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates the manner of securement of thesub-runners 10 to. the runners 3. s As shown, thesub-runners l0,Y areformed with upwardly turned ends ll which project thru' openings l2inthe runners 3. The sub-runners are interlocked with the runners 3 by avertical adjusting plate 13 secured to the sub-runners and to therearward ends of the runners 8 by attaching devices 14:. The height ofthe cutting mechanism and the capability of the runners foi absorbingshocks may be varied by changing the position of the attaching devicesrelative to the member 13 as clearly indicated in the drawings.

The rearward ends of the runners 3 are connected by cross member asshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so as to form a substantially U-shapedioating auxiliary frame. This cross member 15 is preferably rigidlysecured to the runners 3. The mid portions of the runners 3 are alsoconnected by a stationary cutter blade 16, preferably formed of hardenedsteel and provided with sharpened beveled cutting portions 17. Themovable cutting member is herein shown as a reciprocating blade 18,secured to a cutter bar lying underneath the blade, one edge of thecutter bar being indicated at 18 in Fig. 4.

As illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the reciprocatingcutting blade18 is provided with cutting edges 19, which cooperate withthecuttingportions 17 of the stationary cutting memberto effectivelysever stalks of corn.. The .cutting blade 18 is guided in itsreciprocating movements by guide plates 2O and2l, which are preferablyrigidly secured .tothe cutter .bar 18 at either side of the cuttingblade.r The guide members 2O and 2l operatein guide ways formed byplates 22, 23 `and24, theseplates being shown as secured ,to thestationary cuttermember and tothe runner frame.

Referring to the embodiment of the inventionshown inFg. 3 of thedrawings, the guide plate has secured at one end thereof a pivot block25 inwhich is pivotally mounted, the angular end26 of a connecting rod27,

properly reciprocated by acra-nk arm 28 secured to arrank shaft 29. Thecrank shaft 29 is mounted in a bearing l30 secured to the frameworkwofthemachine as shown. The

Aend` ,of thecrank shaft 29 opposite the cra-nk arm 28 has securedthereto a second crank ar,m31, which is oscillated by a connecting rod32 preferably driven by a rotary member 33. The rotary member 33 may bedriven .by powerderived from the bull wheel 34 or ybylany other suitablesource of power.

Referring again to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, thefloating aufriliary frame 2 is held in proper position relative to theother parts of the harvester by means of a rod `35 pivoted at 36 to apivot block 37, fixedly secured to the auxiliary frame. The end of therod 35 opposite the pivot block 37 is pivotally attached at 38 to astationarypart of the frame of the har- '.ative tothe-frame oftheharvester.y It `will be apparent from this disclosure that the cuttermechanism is free to move upwardly or downwardly except for the abovementioned limitation of its downward movement. The other parts of theharvester shown for the purposes of illustration in F ig.3 include thestalk elevating chains 41 and 42, the .frame member 43, the supportingrod 44 and the various braces 45, 46, 47 and 48 for holding the parts ofthe machine in-their proper positions.

ln Fig. 5 of the drawings the invention is illustrated in an embodimentslightly different :from that shownin Fig. 3. ln this embodiment thefloating cutter mechanism not provided with sub-runners and the devicesfor guiding the auxiliary frame in its verticall movements aredifferently located. It will be noted that the runners 3 and the cuttermechanism carried thereby are maintained in proper relation to the otherparts of the harvester by a pivoted rod 49, pivoted to a. iified support50 secured in front of a stationary frame bar y51, the inner end of therod 49 being pivoted to a strap member 52 fixedly secured to theauxiliary frame.

ln the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the reciprocating cutter is operatedby connecting rod 53 pivotally connected at its outer end te a leverl54, preferably pivotally mounted between its ends on thesstationaryframe member 51.` The level' 54 is oscillated by means of a connectingrod which receives its power 4from the rotary memb r 5G driven by thebull wheel 57 or by any other preferred source of power.

ItY willv` be noted that the forward end of the corn harvester showninFig. 5 is tippe-.l upwardly out -of its normal operating position. Thegatherer points 57 normally operate in a position close to the groun l,and the frame members 58, 59 and (SO are normally ina substantiallyhorizontal position, the gathering boards 61 also normally extendingupwardly and rearwardly at a considerable inclination to the horizontal.Other parts of the harvester shown in Fig. 5 of the drawinos include thestalk elevating chains (i2, G3, and 64, the grain wheel 65 and someparts of the binding mechanism the position of which is represented bythe reference numeral GG.

ln Fig. 1 of the drawings the frame of the harvester is illustrated assupported by a bull wheel 6.7 adjustably mounted relative to the frame 5by means of a leveling segment G8, parts of the binding mechanism beingherein again illustrated by the reference character GG.

vWhile the invention has been illustrated by a description `ofparticular mechanisms. it is to be understoodithat the invention is notlimitedthereto but that it is capable of use in various combinations andsubcombinations within .the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A corn harvester comprising, in combination, a main frame, gatheringboards, a floating auxiliary frame moi/'ably supported on the main framebeneath the gathering boards and extending across the passage betweenthe gathering boards, and a grain cutter carried by the auxiliary frame.

2. A corn harvester comprising, in combination, a wheel supported mainframe, gathcring boards carried by the main frame, an auxiliary framepivotally mounted beneath the gathering boards, a reciprocating stalkcutter, and a stationary cutter', bot-h of said cutters being carried'bythe auxiliary frame.

3. -A harvester comprising, in combination, a main frame, stalkgathering devices forming a stalk passage between thema floatingauxiliary frame pivot-ally connected to said devices, and stalk cuttingaparatus carried l by the auxiliary frame so as to cut stalks in closeproximity to the ground.

4. A corn binder comprising', in combination, a wheel supported mainframe, stalk gathering devices carried by the mainframe and forming astalk passage therebetween, a U-shaped auxiliary frame having its legspivotally connected to the main frame, and a reciprocating stalk cuttercarried by the auxiliary frame.

5. The combination expressed in claim el characterized by groundengaging runners resilientlyy supporting the auxiliary frame.

6..'l`he combination expressed in claim i characterized by a linklocated to one side of the auxiliary frame and pivotally connected atits ends to the main frame and the auxiliary frame, respectively.

7. A corn binder comprising, in combination, a wheel supporting frame,`gathering boards, stalk elevating chains, stalk cutting apparatus,stalk binding mechanism, a support for the cutting apparatus pivotallyconnected one end with the main frame, a link pivotally connecting theauxiliary frame and the main frame and extending laterally from theformer, and means for operating the cutting apparatus supported at apoint adjacent the connection between the link and the main frame.

8. A corn binder comprising, in combination, a wheel supported mainframe, gathering boards, stalk cutting apparatus, stalk elevatingchains, stalk binding mechanism, and a floating auxiliary frame carryingthe cutting apparatus, said floating auxiliary frame comprising memberspivotally connected with the main frame at their forward ends andresilient sub-runners for supporting and protecting the first mentionedmembers. 9. A harvester comprising, in combination, a wheel supportedmain frame, gathering boards, means for changing the vertical positionsof the gathering boards, a iioating auxiliary frame pivotally mountedbeneath the main frame and pivotally movable relative to the gatheringboards, a reciprocating cutter bar carried by the ioating auxiliaryframe so as to cut stalks in close proximity to the ground, operatingmeans carried by the main frame, and means connecting the reciprocatingcutter bars with the operating means for moving the former.

l0. A corn binder comprising, in combination, wheel supported stalkgathering boards, means for vertically adjusting the forward ends of thegathering boards, a floating auxiliary frame pivotally movable relativeto the gathering boards and located beneath them, a stalk cutter carriedby the auxiliary frame, a sub-runner for resiliently mounting andprotecting the auxiliary frame, means for limiting the downward movementof the auxiliary frame, and means for operating the cutter.

l1. ln a corn harvester, a wheel supported frame, stalk gatheringdevices, a stalk cutter, a floating support for the stalk cutter,pivotal connections between the support and the frame, a laterallyextending guide link pivoted to the support and the frame, and a pitmanextending substantially parallel to the guide link and connecting thecutter and the frame.

12. In a corn harvester, a floating reciprocating stalk cutter,afloating frame carrying said cutter, a rotary member, powertransmitting connections for so connecting the rotary member to thecutter that reciprocating motion is transmitted to the cutter, anintermediate support for said power transmitting connections, and a linkpivoted to the support and pivotally connected to said frame.

V1,3. A harvester comprising', in combination, a main frame, a floatingauxiliary frame pivotally secured to the main frame at its forward end,a reciprocating cutter bar carried by the auxiliary frame, a supportfixed on the main frame at one side of the auxiliary frame, a pivotalconnection between the support and the auxiliary frame, powertransmitting connections for operating the cutter carried b-y theauxiliary frame, and a support for an intermediate part of said powertransmitting connections.

14. A harvester comprising, in combination, a --main frame, a floatingauxiliary trame, a reciprocating cutter carried by said auxiliaryframe,l a pitman, a lever pivoted to the main frame and having one endconnected to said pitman, a link. connecting the other end ofsaid leverwith the reciprocating cutter, and a link pivotally connected to themain frame for guiding the auxiliary `frame during its up and downmovements.

l5. A corn binder comprising, in combination, a stalk cutter, a mainframe, an auxiliary frame carrying the stalk cutter, and substantiallyparallel links extending from the same sidev of said auxiliary frame,one of lloA said links for operating the cutter andthe other forguidingthe auxiliary from `during its vertical movements.

lo. A. corn harvester comprising, in coini. a main frame, gatheringboards, i `ry frame pivotally connectedto 4 main frame and locatedbeneath the gathb vwils, a reciprocating stalk cutter care auxili rytraine, and power transng connections for operating the cutter, s poweru iitting connections extending from the entre. outwardly and laterallyof the auxiliary frame and thence inwardly to a. lriving elementlocate-d on the main faiue.

l?. ln a corn harvester, a main frame, stalk gathering devices, a stalkcutter, a floating support for the stalk cutter, pivotal connectionsbetween the support and the ne, :t laterally extending guide linkpivoted to the support and te the frame, and power transmittingconnections extending from a rotary member on the main frame te thecutter, said power transmitting coniactions including a member pivotedon the :nain frame at a position substantially wit-lr in the sainerertical confines as the outer end ot the guide link.

lo. A. harvester comprising, in combina- "inn, a main iframe, a floatingauxiliary frame pivotally secured to the main frame at its forward end,a reciprocating cutter bar carried by the auxiliary frame, a pivot blockfixed on the main frame at one sideot` the auxiliary l ame, a pivotalconnection between the pivot block and the auxiliary f Hame, powertransinittiuu` connections for operating the 'cutter carrie-d by theauxiliary frame, and a support tor an intermediate part of said powertransmitting connections located adjacent said pivot bloek.

19. In a corn harvester, a main frame,

gathering devices, a stalk cutter, a

vonnections between the support and the traine, a laterally extendingguide link pivoted to Uhe support `and to the frame, and

power transmitting` connections extending from a driving member on themain frame te the cutter, said poiver transmitting connections includinga member pivoted on the main frame at a position substantially adjacentto the outer end of the guide link.

Q0 A corn harvester comprising, in eombin tion. a main frame, stalkgathering devices carried by the main frame, a floating auxiliarv framepivotally secured at its forward end to the main frame beneath the stalkgathering devices, stationary and movable cutters carried by theauxiliary frame, a stop carried by the auxiliary frame, and a secondstop carried by the main frame in the path of in-:ivement of the firststop and serving to limit ltlie floatine movement of the auxiliarytraine relative to the main frame.

eating support for the stalk cutter, pivotal 21. Aharvester comprising,in combination, a main frame, supports on the main frame carrying stalkgathering devices which form av stalk passage, a floating auxiliaryframe pivotally connected to the main frame beneath each of the stalkgathering devices, pivotal connections at the forward ends ofl theauxiliary frame for associating that frame with the main frame, mainrunners constituting the side parts of said auxiliary frame, resilientground engaging sub-run- 1 ars secured underneath the main runners,stationary stalk cutting means secured to and located between the mainrunners, and a moving` stalk cutter carried by the main runners.

A harvester comprising, in combination, a` main frame, supports on themain frame carrying stalk gatl'iering devices which form a stalk passagetherebetween, a floating auxiliary frame pivoted at its forward end tothe main frame beneathy the stalk `gathering device. ide runnerscomprising parts of the aun'llary Jrame and formed near their forwardends with orifices, ground engaging sub-runners beneath the side-runnersand having their forward ends inserted through the orifices in the siderunners, means for securing the sub-runners to the side runners at theirrearward ends, and stalk cutting mechanism carried by the side runners.

En testimony whereof I affix my signature.

